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Skimbleshanks: The
Railway Cat Workbook
Solution
Ashish Srivastava
5 months ago · 12 min read

Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat poem so

Section B: Context
Questions
KNOCK KNOCK!

This solution is for the

Beeta publication
workbook, if you have
Evergreen Publication
Workbook refer to this link

I. Read the extract given

below and answer the
questions that follow:
There's a whisper down the line at 11.39
When the Night Mail's ready to depart,
Saying "Skimble where is Skimble has he gone
to hunt the

thimble?
We must find him or the train can't start

(i)What's the whisper down the line who all

are whispering?

Ans: In the poem "Whisper down the line"

refers to a message being passed along to the
train sta" at 11:39 pm when the Night Mail is
ready to depart. The message is about
Skimbleshanks, the railway cat, and asks
where he is because the train can't start
without him. The guards, porters, and even
the stationmaster's daughters are all
searching for Skimbleshanks.

(ii)Who is the Skimble? what work does he

do?

Ans: Skimble is a "The Railway cat" in the

poem Skimbleshanks. He is a cat who works
on the Night Mail train and is responsible for
supervising the train's crew, including the
driver, guards, and bagmen. Skimbleshanks is
described as being in charge of the Sleeping
Car Express, and he is highly respected by his
colleagues for his dedication and diligence. He
is also known for his ability to solve problems
and keep the train running smoothly.

(iii)What does "hunt the thimble" mean?

What was Skimble doing at this time?

Ans: "Hunt the thimble" is likely a playful

phrase used to describe Skimble's
whereabouts. It refers to the doubt many have
around the sense of responsibility that Skimble
displays. On finding him missing at the
platform they assume he's doing some o"-
work hobbies that is hunting the thimble. The
struggle of this Skimbleshanks is that he is
mistrusted by the indeterminate and
suspicious voice of the wider society.

(iv)Why can't the train start without

Skimbleshanks? How did the tray finally
start?

Ans: The train cannot start without

Skimbleshanks because he is the one who is in
charge of the Sleeping Car Express. He
supervises everyone from the driver and
guards to the bagmen playing cards. When
Skimbleshanks disappears, there is panic
because the train cannot start without him.
He has been busy in the luggage van. He gives
one flash of his glass-green eyes, and the
signal goes "All Clear." And finally, the train
starts its journey to the northern part of the
Northern Hemisphere.

(v)Did it depend on time? How did the scene

at the train change after Skimble appeared?

Ans: Yes, the train departed on time after

Skimbleshanks appeared. The scene at the
train changed from one of frantic searching
and worry to one of relief and calmness. The
guards and porters stopped searching for
Skimble and the passengers were no longer
frantic. Skimbleshanks' appearance and
assurance that everything was under control
gave everyone the confidence that the train
would depart on time and without any issues.

II. Read the extract given

below and answer the
questions that follow:
All the guards and all the porters and the
stationmaster's daughters
They are searching high and low, Saying
"Skimble where is Skimble for unless he's very
nimble
Then the Night Mail just can't go

(i) Identify and name two figures of speech

used in this extract?

Ans: One figure of speech used in this extract

is hyperbole, which is an exaggeration used to
emphasize a point. The line "They are
searching high and low" exaggerates the
intensity of the search for Skimble. Another
figure of speech used is alliteration, which is
the repetition of the same sound at the
beginning of neighbouring words. The line
"Saying 'Skimble where is Skimble for unless
he's very nimble" uses alliteration with the
repeated "s" and "n" sounds.

(ii) Why is it important for Skimbleshanks to

be on the train?

Ans: Skimbleshanks is important for the

smooth operation of the train because he
supervises and keeps control over the various
workers on the train, including the driver,
guards, and bagmen. He patrols the train,
ensuring that everything is in order, and he
can quickly respond to any issues that may
arise. Additionally, he helps ensure that the
passengers are comfortable and well taken
care of. Without Skimbleshanks, it is suggested
that the train would not be able to run as
e#ciently, and problems could potentially
occur.

(ii) Why would Skimble need to be very

nimble?

Ans: In the poem, Skimble is described as a cat

who is responsible for supervising the train
and ensuring that everything runs smoothly.
As such, it is important for Skimble to be very
nimble so that he can move quickly and
e#ciently throughout the train to perform his
duties, whether it is checking the luggage van,
patrolling the corridors, or helping
passengers.

(iv) Who are 'They' in the second line? Why

are they frantic? Did they calm down? How?

Ans:'They' in the second line refers to the

passengers waiting to board the Night Mail
train. They are frantic because the train cannot
start without Skimbleshanks, and they fear the
delay may cause them to miss important
appointments or connections. However, once
Skimbleshanks appears and the train departs,
the passengers become calmer and more
relaxed, enjoying the comfort of their berths
and the smooth journey provided by
Skimbleshanks' watchful presence.

Ltd. offer-book before

28 Sep.
Kalpataru Srishti Namaah

(v) Imagine you are onboard this train,

describe the manhunt for Skimble.

Ans:

III. Read the extract given

below and answer the
questions that follow:
You may say that by and large, it is Skamble
who's in charge
Of the Sleeping Car Express
From the driver and the guards to the bagmen
playing cards
He will supervise them all, more or less.
Down the corridor, he paces and examines all
the faces
Of the travellers in the First and the Third;
He establishes control by a regular patrol
And he'd know at once if anything occurred.

(i)Who will supervise them all (the staff)?

Who are they who need supervision?

Ans: Skimbleshanks will supervise all the sta"

on the Sleeping Car Express, including the
driver, the guards, and the bagmen playing
cards. The passengers in the First and the
Third classes also need supervision from
Skimbleshanks, as he paces down the corridor
and examines all their faces.

(ii) Whose faces does the supervisor

examine? What can he gauge from their
faces?.

Ans: The supervisor, Skimbleshanks, examines

the faces of the travelers in the First and Third
class compartments of the train. By examining
their faces, he can gauge their comfort level,
satisfaction with the service, and any issues or
concerns they might have. This helps him
establish control and ensure that everything
runs smoothly on the train.

(iii) Briefly describe how he establishes

control. Why does he pace the corridor?

Ans: Skimbleshanks establishes control by

conducting regular patrols along the train
corridor. He paces down the corridor,
examining the faces of the passengers. He
keeps a watchful eye on the train's activities
and can identify any potential problems
immediately.
He paces the corridor to maintain a constant
and visible presence, making sure that
everyone knows he is in charge. This way, the
sta" and passengers feel that they are being
watched, and they are less likely to break any
rules or engage in any misbehaviour.

(iv) Do you think the supervisor can do the

same in other modes of transport plane, bus,
metro? State how

Ans: The role of a supervisor in ensuring the

smooth operation of transport services is
essential and can be applied to other modes of
transport such as planes, buses, and metros.

(v) Why do you think the train is called

Sleeping Car Express? How does the
supervisor ensure that the name holds true?

Ans: The train is called Sleeping Car Express

because it likely has sleeping carriages or
compartments where passengers can sleep
during their journey. The supervisor ensures
that the name holds true by regularly
patrolling the train's corridors and checking on
the passengers to make sure they are
comfortable and secure. This helps create a
safe and comfortable environment for the
passengers, thereby fulfilling the train's name
as a Sleeping Car Express.

IV. Read the extract given

below and answer the
questions that follow;
Oh, it's very pleasant when you have found
your little den
With your name written up on the door.

And the berth is very neat with a newly folded

sheet
And there's not a speck of dust on the floor.
There is every sort of light-you can make it
dark or bright;
There's a handle that you turn to make a
breeze.
There's a funny little basin you're supposed to
wash your face in
And a crank to shut the window if you sneeze.

(i) Why is the cabin called your little den?

What kind of security does it offer the
passengers?

Ans: The cabin is called a "little den" because it

provides a personal and private space for the
passengers to rest during the journey. It o"ers
a sense of security to the passengers as they
have their own space with their name on the
door and not a speck of dust on the floor.

(ii) Describe the little den, as mentioned in

the extract.

Ans: In the extract, the little den refers to the

cabin on the train where the passengers sleep.
The cabin is described as a pleasant and neat
cabin with the passenger's name written on
the door. It has a newly folded sheet and no
speck of dust on the floor. There is an option
for di"erent types of lighting and a handle to
control the breeze. It also has a small basin to
wash the face and a crank to shut the window
if needed.

(iii) Were the passengers scared of

Skimbleshanke? Give reasons for your
answer.

Ans: No, the passengers were not scared of

Skimbleshanks. Passengers feel relax and
tension free in the prersence of Skimbles.
Skimbleshanks' presence had a positive e"ect
on all sta" of train. Skimbleshanks is described
as a friendly and helpful presence on the train,
and he is appreciated by both the sta" and the
passengers.

(iv) What were the arrangements made for

the comfortable journey of the passengers?

Ans: The extract mentions several

arrangements made for the comfortable
journey of the passengers:

1. Passengers have their own private

cabins or "little dens" with their name
written up on the door.
2. The berths are neat with newly folded
sheets and there is no speck of dust on
the floor.

3. There are di"erent types of lights that

passengers can adjust to make their
cabin bright or dark.
4. There is a handle that passengers can
turn to create a breeze.
5. There is a basin provided for passengers
to wash their face.
6. There is a crank to shut the window if a
passenger sneezes.

(v) Compare the facilities of the train cabin

with the facilities of a cabin in today's train.
Would you find a Skimbleshanks today? Why?

Ans: The facilities mentioned in the poem for

the train cabin, such as a personal berth with a
newly folded sheet, di"erent kinds of lights, a
handle to control the breeze, a washbasin, and
a crank to shut the window, are still available
in today's train cabins. However, modern trains
o"er more advanced facilities, such as
charging ports, Wi-Fi, entertainment systems,
and more comfortable seating arrangements.
Regarding finding a Skimbleshanks on a train
today, it is possible to find a supervisor who
ensures the smooth functioning of the train
and makes passengers feel secure. However,
the specific character of Skimbleshanks may
not exist in the same way.

Soak
It All In.

V. Read the extract given

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